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Archives For November 30, 1999

Add Google Suggestions to System Search in Ubuntu 20.04 via Extension

Last updated: April 6, 2021

Want to get Google search suggestions in your system search results? There’s now an extension to enable the feature in Gnome Desktop.

Google Search Provider is the extension inspired by DuckDuckGo Search Provider. With it, typing any keyword in the Activities overview or ‘Show Applications’ search box will display Google search suggestions. And you can click to open the result in your favorite web browser.

How to Install the Extension in Ubuntu:

The Gnome Shell extension so far supports Gnome 3.36 & 3.38, so it should work in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and the upcoming Ubuntu 21.04.

1.) Firstly open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install the chrome-gnome-shell package if you don’t have it:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

2.) Next go to the extension web page in web browser, and turn on the toggle icon to install it.

If you don’t see the toggle icon, click the link “Click here to install browser extension” and refresh the web page afterward.

Uninstall Gnome Shell Extension

To remove the extension, either go to the web page again or use Extensions tool, which can be installed via sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-prefs command.

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CPUFetch – Simple CLI Tool To Fetch CPU Information in Linux

Last updated: April 4, 2021

CPUFetch is a simple command line tool, a bit similar to Neofetch, but for fetching CPU architecture in Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android.

The tool outputs the manufacturer logo (e.g., Intel, AMD) along with basic CPU info, including:

  • CPU name.
  • Micro-architecture.
  • The semiconductor technology in nanometer (nm).
  • Max frequency.
  • Number of cores and threads.
  • Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
  • Fused-Multiply-Add (FMA)
  • L1, L2, L3 cache sizes.
  • Peak performance.

It supports custom colors and offers a few styles (themes). With it, you can easily take screenshot of the CPU information and share with your friends.

How to Install CPUFetch in Ubuntu:

CPUFetch so far do not offer an Ubuntu binary package. However, it’s easy to compile it in Linux.

1.) Firstly open terminal from system app launcher. When it opens, run command to clone the source:

git clone https://github.com/Dr-Noob/cpufetch

Install git via sudo apt install git command if you don’t have it.

2.) Then navigate to the source folder via cd command, and compile it via make:

cd cpufetch && make

3.) You are finally be able to run the tool via ./cpufetch command in this directory!

To be able to run via cpufetch command anywhere in terminal, copy the executable file to /usr/local/bin:

sudo mv ~/cpufetch/cpufetch /usr/local/bin/

Uninstall:

To remove the source folder, run command:

rm ~/cpufetch -rf

And remove the executable file via command:

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/cpufetch
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How to Install Gnome 40 in Ubuntu 21.04 (For Testing Only)

Last updated: April 3, 2021

Want to try out the new Gnome 40 Desktop? You can install it in Ubuntu 21.04 Hirsute Hippo via PPA.

Gnome 40 was released more than a week ago with new features including new design for the overview screen, a horizontal workspace switcher, Dock at the bottom, new gestures, and more.

While Ubuntu 21.04 includes Gnome 3.38.x with some Gnome 40 core applications, you can get the new desktop environment via this third-party PPA.

WARNING: GNOME 40 is not yet officially supported in Ubuntu 21.04. The PPA packages is just for testing purpose! Use it at your own risk!

1.) Firstly open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shemgp/gnome-40

Type your user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2.) After adding the PPA, run command to upgrade the mutter window manager:

sudo apt install mutter

You can follow the command in the PPA description, which adds the package version in the code. It however just works with the package name only.

3.) Then install Gnome Shell 40 via command:

sudo apt install gnome-shell

4.) As the default Yaru theme is not updated for Gnome 40, you have to install and use Gnome Session instead of the Ubuntu Session. To install it, run command:

sudo apt install gnome-session

5.) And run command for the rest packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Finally reboot your machine. When you’re in login screen, DO SELECT “Gnome” or “Gnome on Xorg” before logging in. To do so, select your user and then click the gear button in the bottom-right and select Gnome in popup menu.

How to Uninstall Gnome 40:

To remove the new Gnome Desktop and revert back to the original v3.38.x, run command to purge the Ubuntu PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:shemgp/gnome-40

And if you no longer use the Gnome Session from login screen, remove it via command:

sudo apt remove gnome-session
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Enable Light Mode Menus (System Menu, Notifications) in Ubuntu 21.04

Last updated: April 2, 2021

Prefer the light mode appearance? Here’s how to change the system tray menu, date & time menu, notifications, and other top panel drop-down menus from dark to light in Ubuntu 21.04.

Different to previous Ubuntu releases, Ubuntu 21.04 now has top-panel menus in dark mode. It’s good for those prefer the dark themes. However, light mode fans need to change the Gnome Shell theme to get better experience.

Before:

After:

1. Install User Themes Extension:

To get started, you have to first install the User Themes Gnome Shell extension, which enables ability to change the Gnome Shell Theme.

Method 1: Install the extension via single command:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to bring up a terminal window and run the command below will install a dozen of extensions, including User Themes, in Ubuntu:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions

Once installed, log out and back in.

Method 2: Install the extension from extensions.gnome.org:

For clean freak just need the single extension, firstly install chrome-gnome-shell package via command:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

Then click to go to the extension web page and turn on the toggle icon to install the extension.

Don’t see the toggle icon? Click ‘Click here to install browser extension’ to install browser extension, and then refresh the web page.

2. Change Gnome Shell Theme:

After installed User Themes extension, launch Gnome Tweaks (install it from Ubuntu Software) and go to Extensions tab.

There scroll down, find out and turn on the extension, click the gear button to get into settings. And finally select Yaru-light or gnome classic for even light top panel.

That’s it. Enjoy!

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Ubuntu 21.04 “Hirsute Hippo” Beta Released

Last updated: April 2, 2021

upgrade ubuntu 15.10
 
 
Ubuntu 21.04 final beta was officially released. Features images for the Ubuntu Desktop, Server, and Cloud products, and also the Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, and Xubuntu flavors.

Ubuntu 21.04 code name “Hirsute Hippo”. As a non-LTS release, it has only 9-month support.

The new Ubuntu edition comes with Linux Kernel 5.11 and GNOME 3.38.x, along with some GNOME 40 core applications, e.g, GNOME Calculator, Gnome Clocks, Gnome Disk Utility.

And it by default logins to Wayland session. If your applications are not so far updated with Wayland support, you can easily switch back to X11 session by clicking the gear button when you’re at the login screen.

Another change is that the time & date menu, system tray menu, notifications, and other top-panel drop-down menus are now in Dark Mode. For those prefer either the standard or light mode, you have to install the User Themes Gnome Shell Extension to change the default theme to light. For details, see this tutorial.

Other changes include:

  • Use nftables as default backend for the firewall.
  • Add support for smartcard authentication
  • Desktop icons now handled by Desktop Icons NG extension with drag’n’drop support.
  • Pipewire support is now enabled.
  • Updated toolchain, applications, and more.

For more details, read the full release note.

And you can download the ISO image from:

Download Ubuntu 21.04 Beta

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Deepin 20.2 Released with Linux 5.10 & 5.11 Dual Kernels

Last updated: April 1, 2021

Deepin, a beautiful Linux distribution based on Debian stable, released version 20.2 a day ago.

Deepin 20.2 features the LTS Kernel 5.10 and stable Kernel 5.11. In Grub boot menu, you can select to boot either Kernel as you want.

The new release now integrates the Debian 10.8 stable package repository. Thanks to code optimization, you will get less memory occupation for core apps, faster response, enhanced system performance, and smoother user experiences.

Also, Deepin 20.2 introduced a Downloader app with multiple download protocols support, including HTTP(s), FTP(s), BT, magnet link, etc. And the downloads are extremely fast.

Other changes in Deepin 20.2 include:

  • Improved multi-display support.
  • NTP configuration via a graphical interface.
  • Full-text search support for the File Manager.
  • The movie player now supports Avs2 format.
  • The image viewer now supports TIF and TIFF formats.
  • The System Installer now supports for integrating NVIDIA drivers for notebooks during the installation.
  • Other core apps updates and improvements.

Download Deepin ISO:

The ISO image is available to download via Google Drive, Sourceforge, BitTorrent, and other mirrors. Click the button below to get the links:

Download Deepin

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LibreOffice 7.1.2 Released, How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04

Last updated: March 31, 2021

LibreOffice office suite 7.1.2, the second bug-fix release for the 7.1 series, now is available to install in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 20, Ubuntu 20.10 via its official PPA.

LibreOffice 7.1.2 comes with 61 bug-fixes. Here are some of them according to the changelog:

  • Paste sometimes deactivated in (context) menu even though text copied to clipboard and CTRL+V functioning.
  • Writer: wrong header/footer during export to DOCX.
  • LibreOffice text blurry on Retina displays on macOS 11.
  • Font rendering display error (skia) and some DejaVu fonts.
  • Cannot open .docx in writer – format openXML.
  • Orca no longer reads many options on the sidebar in Linux.
  • Autocorrect no longer works with Change Tracking enabled.
  • elementary: New Arrow Style for Undo and Redo.
  • Crash when importing docx file.
  • PDF export with buttons won’t work in Adobe Reader.

How to Install LibreOffice 7.1.2 via PPA:

1. Add the PPA.

LibreOffice Fresh PPA has made the packages for all current Ubuntu releases. You can add it to your system by launching terminal and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Install LibreOffice 7.1.2.

After adding the PPA, you can either update your system packages including the office suite via command:

sudo apt full-upgrade

or launch Software Updater (Update Manager) and select install the package updates:

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software and remove the relevant line.

or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/ppa

You can alternatively purge the PPA, which also downgrade LibreOffice to the pre-installed version:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:libreoffice/ppa
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GIMP Image Editor 2.10.24 Available to Install in Ubuntu 20.04 & Higher

Last updated: April 1, 2021

GIMP extra color palettes

Before the next major GIMP 3.0, a new maintenance update for the 2.10 series GIMP 2.10.24 now is available to install.

Though it’s not officially announced at the moment of writing, GIMP has provided the 2.10.24 source tarball & Windows exe for downloading in its website.

And both the Flathub repository and unofficial Ubuntu PPA have updated the packages for the new release.

What’s new in GIMP 2.10.24 according to the release note:

  • Off-canvas point snapping
  • GeoTIFF metadata support (georeferencing information embedded within a TIFF file used by map makers)
  • Many improvements in the metadata viewer and editor
  • Many file format supports improved: HEIF, PSP, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PDF, DDS, BMP, PSD
  • New “Negative Darkroom” operation to simulate enlargement prints from scans of photographic negatives.
  • The RAW image import now handles darktable 3.6 and over
  • New Kabyle translation

How to Install GIMP 2.10.24 in Ubuntu:

Method 1: Install GIMP via the universal flatpak package:

If you’re OK with the flatpak package which runs in sandbox, open terminal and run following commands one by one to install it:

1. Firstly add PPA for updated Flatpak package (required for Ubuntu 18.04 only):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexlarsson/flatpak && sudo apt update

2. Install flatpak daemon if you don’t have it:

sudo apt install flatpak

3. Add flathub repository which hosts the software packages:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install GIMP flatpak package via command:

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP

NOTE: as flatpak runs in sandbox, it takes much more disk space for run-time libraries.

5. (Optional) If you want to remove the package, run command:

flatpak uninstall org.gimp.GIMP

Method 2: install GIMP via Ubuntu PPA:

For those prefer the classic .deb packages, the unofficial PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and Ubuntu 21.04.

Due to compile issue, the package for Ubuntu 18.04 is stuck at v2.10.22 at the moment.

1.) Open terminal from system application launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gimp

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) If an old version of GIMP .deb package was installed, upgrade it via Software Updater (Update Manager) utility.

or run apt commands in terminal to install GIMP:

sudo apt install gimp

If you’re going to upgrade the image editor from command line, I’d recommend to RUN this command instead, so to also install the updated dependency libraries.

sudo apt upgrade

3.) (Optional) To restore GIMP to the stock version in main Ubuntu repository, run command to purge the PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gimp
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Stellarium 0.21.0 Released with Lunar Libration [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: March 28, 2021

The free and open-source planetarium software Stellarium 0.21.0 was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04 via PPA.

The new release completed the work on accurate planet axes, including Lunar libration. It also features visualisation of Earth shadow for Lunar eclipses, the latest algorithms for planet magnitudes. Planets are now scalable and Solar glare switchable for didactic applications.

Other changes include:

  • Better texture for the Lunar surface.
  • Enhanced Calendars plugin.
  • Replaced “arabic” by more accurate “al-Sufi” skyculture.
  • Added lines for the Invariable Plane and Projected Solar Equator.
  • Added solar altitude to planetary feature nomenclature.
  • Added new 4k texture for the Moon (required re-balancing planet shader brightness)
  • Added more cardinal points.
  • Added a new sky culture based on Al-Sufi “Book of Fixed Stars” written ~ 964 AD.
  • Added Old Hindu calendars
  • Added Islamic (algorithmic) and Hebrew calendar.
  • Added French Revolution calendar (arithmetic version)
  • Added Persian (arithmetic) calendar
  • And much more other changes, see the release note for details.

How to Install Stellarium 0.21.0 via PPA:

The Stellarium developers team maintains an official Ubuntu PPA with the latest packages for all current Ubuntu releases.

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then either upgrade Stellarium from an old version with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install or upgrade the software from terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install stellarium

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

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GNU Emacs 27.2 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: December 27, 2021

GNU Emacs text editor 27.2 was released as a new maintenance release.

Emacs 27.2 is a bug-fix release with no new features. According to the changelog, it changed the behavior of the user option ‘resize-mini-frames‘. If set to a non-nil value which isn’t a function, resize the mini frame using the new function ‘fit-mini-frame-to-buffer’ which won’t skip leading or trailing empty lines of the buffer.

Emacs now ignores modifier keys when IME input is used. By default, pressing Ctrl, Shift, and Alt keys while using IME input will no longer apply the modifiers to the produced characters, as there are IMEs which use keys with modifiers to input some characters. Customize the variable ‘w32-ignore-modifiers-on-IME-input’ to nil to get back the old behavior.

And the user option ‘tramp-completion-reread-directory-timeout’ is now obsolete.

How to Install Gnu Emacs in Ubuntu:

For those prefer the classic apt repository, keep an eye on the Kevin Kelley’s PPA, though it’s not been updated at the moment of writing.

For those do not like Flatpak and Snap packages, here’s also a step by step guide building Emacs from source tarball.

Emacs is also available as the containerized Snap package, which is however at version 27.1 at the moment.

The community maintained Flatpak package has built Emacs 27.2 for Linux users. Ubuntu 20.04 and higher users can open terminal and run following commands one by one to install it:

  • Install flatpak framework if you don’t have it: 
    sudo apt install flatpak

  • Add flathub repository which hosts the flatpak packages: 
    flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

  • Finally install Emacs flatpak package: 
    flatpak install flathub org.gnu.emacs

(Optional) To remove the flatpak package, simply run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.gnu.emacs
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